While we were still in Arizona we drove over to Scottsdale with the daughters and grandsons to ride trains and see some wonderful exhibits. In 1967, Fowler McCormick donated 100 acres of land to be used as a park. In 1971, Guy Stillman donated his railroad to the park even though Walt Disney had offered to buy it.
Both Jacob and Joshua love trains so they were thrilled to hear "All Aboard!"
After our train ride, we went to see the "real" train. This engine hauled ore from Arizona copper mining town Superior to the smelter at Magma a for 38 years.
The little building next to the train is the Gabe Brooks Machine Shop built in 1930. He was considered the finest machinist in the country during WWII.
Inside the baggage car were lots of exhibits.
However, the real star of the park is the Roald Amundsen Pullman Car, one of the last cars built by the Pullman Company. This one was used for Presidential travel by every president from Herbert Hoover to Dwight Eisenhower and donated to the park in 1971.
Presidential meals were prepared in this galley.......
and served at this table.
This table was available for smaller meals.
The Presidential Compartment.
Not exactly palatial quarters, but functional.
Even Presidents have to use the....ahem....facilities.
In 1940, President Franklin Roosevelt and Canadian Prime Minister W.L. McKenzie King signed the Ogdensberg Declaration, providing for the joint defense of North America - in this very car! We know it better as NORAD.
Soon, we were on our way to one more train ride.
All too soon we said "good-bye" to McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park - and Arizona. The hardest part was leaving the kids and grandkids!
Next time I'll continue with more Florida adventures.
Hi!
ReplyDeleteLove the Presidential compartment!!! This was great fun to see. Every once in a while I get to see inside passenger trains and think it's very interesting how these were made also decorated....especially for a President.
That Bathroom is a hoot!
Think I'm spoiled,
d
You have the most fun! I would love to do these tours!
ReplyDeleteThanks for popping in to see me.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
Good tour, we always like to visit Train exhibits:)
ReplyDeleteLove, love LOVE this park. Again, it's been so long since the boys were that little & wanted to ride everything... Thanks for the tour -- especially the presidential Pullman! (Did not know the NORAD history bit - guess I never paid much attention to that. Just have to go back, huh?!?)
ReplyDeletemmmmm, I spy an iron!! it was calling my name...yes it was!!
ReplyDeleteThat was a great post. I would love to see that Presidential Pullman car. Guess it was luxurious for its day. Wonder what they would think of some of our modern day motorhomes and 5th wheels. What a fascinating bit of history.
ReplyDeleteLove the photo of you and the grandkids on the train. How fun!
I love those old railroad museums where they have things restored. So neat! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI love the railroad and trains so much. When I was a girl I would go down to the train station and watch the railroad guys switch the tracks so different trains could go different ways!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for showing us !!!